AGs: Don’t use Seattle, other ‘hip’ cities to sell cigarettes

State attorney generals are wading into a controversy about a tobacco marketing campaign that uses images of popular cities — Seattle included — to sell cigarettes.

The National Association of Attorneys Generals recently sent a letter to the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. saying a limited-edition run of Camel cigarettes might be aimed at adults, but it’s more likely to appeal to young people.

The packs featuring Seattle are decorated with images of Pike Place Market and say: “Home of grunge, a coffee revolution and alternatives who’ll probably tell you they’re only happy when it rains.” It goes on to talk about vinyl records, worn T-shirts, ticket stubs and “the bold spirit of our Gold Rush ancestors.”

The promotion is part of a “Break Free Adventure” contest and features 10 cities, including Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Francisco and Austin. You can read my full story on the controversy here.

In the letter dated Nov. 23, the attorney generals’ association summarized their concerns this way:

“We are concerned that this advertising campaign is using aspects of popular culture, including independent music, art, motor sports, and “hip” or countercultural attitudes, to advertise Camel cigarettes in a way that is appealing to young people’s psychological needs for rebelliousness, sensation-seeking, and risk-taking… Moreover, the basic theme of the promotion is a geography game, which is typically an activity for children of school age.”